I (Valynne) will be handing out these sweet flyers and displaying them at local businesses here in Northeast Portland over the weekend and can’t wait to see what the response is like. BIG THANKS to Maxwell at No Limits PDX for a less than one day turn-around (!) and I really appreciate that this locally owned business charges LESS than the box stores, as well.
Also, I am going to do my best to track the response to this old-school flyer in comparison to the response I am getting via social media. Because we are newcomers to Portland, I think actually getting the word out in the community will be more effective than my various social media campaigns at this point. What do you think? Got tips? If so, we would love to hear them…
PS Time for another prize drawing. Leave a comment on ANY blog post here at Caretaking Couple and automatically enter to win a week’s worth of Shakeology, starting NOW and ending this Friday (10/14/11). I will send the prize out on Saturday.
What are you charging? I”m curious what are “competitive” rates in Portland. Walkers here are charging $20 per day for 2 10 – 20 minute walks. The problem is that day care is $20 per full day. Why would you pay someone $20 to walk your dog for a total of 20 minutes and the dog is alone in the house the rest of the day when you can pay the same amount for the dog to be out playing and interacting with other dogs all day long.
so I am trying to break in a neighbor who wants to start a dogwalking business here in EG and I suggested that she charge $15.00 per day. $10 for one walk, $5 for the second walk. Unfortunately, she doesn’t really know what she’s doing and ended up terrifying tucker who bit her!!!! He’s never bitten anyone his entire life, but she came into the house, forced herself on him when he was growling and whining and clearly expressing fear, and then she reached out and tried to give him a treat and he lunged and bit her. Meanwhile, she then realized that she still had her sunglasses on and so of course he was terrified of her because sunglasses are terrifying to dogs. So now he has learned that biting makes the scary thing go away. I am both concerned for my neighbor (she’s ok) and pissed at her at the same time, because now I am going to have to do a ton of training with Tucker. Last night someone pulled to the top of our driveway and parked their car. He went ballistic. Unbeknownst to me, because it was dark, a man was walking down the driveway in the dark as Tucker was completely out of control at the door. I went to move Tucker from the door and this man said “oh hello” I screamed because I hadn’t seen him and then shouted “who the fuck are you and why are you on my property”. It ended up being the mailman looking for a house to make a house delivery verses a mailbox delivery and he didn’t know where the house was located. He then left. So Tucker learned again that by being out of control he made the bad scary thing go away. This will take months to work out of him. So if you’re going to do dogwalking, make sure that you know and understand the correct way to approach a dog that does not know you and who is not used to you being in his territory.
Hi Catherine,
We start at $20 and go from there (depending on how many dogs per household, the length of the walk, etc.). Some dogs love day care, while others…not so much. I am surprised to hear that a full day of dog care in Evergreen is $20 ~ that is very low (less than we paid for Butch in Conifer several years ago). It sounds like having Tucker go to day care makes more sense all around.
Valynne
Valynne,
I love your blog! It is so professional and beautiful! Someday I want to start one, I just have no idea how. You may have to help me. Anyway, it sounds like you guys are doing great and keeping busy! we have got to get to Portland to visit you guys. We have both always wanted to go there! Are you living there permanently now? Well i hope your dog walking adventure goes well as well as all your other endeavors! Miss you tons!
-Jaime
Thank you, Jaime! When you come visit, I could totally get you set up with WordPress. I think you will be a natural at blogging : ) We are living here permanently (for us, anyway). We are renting a bungalow, month to month. It is very sweet, and what fun to finally be decorating a place of “our own”. We still intend to travel, but it will be nice to have a place to come home to. I think you and Cody would love it here – so much to do! Come visit, we miss you too XOX
Awesome idea! The flyers look great! Good luck! We still need to get together for a glass of wine. But now it will need to be after the harvest. I am leaving on Saturday and will be back in a month.
Karmell, We WILL get together for that glass of wine. In the meantime, here’s to the harvest! I just love this time of year…
PS You WON the prize drawing, Karmell : ) Send me your addy and I will get your Shakeology right out to you (something to look forward to when you get home from the harvest).
V, I am so happy that you and Paul are settling in to your own place. It sounds like all your dreams are coming true. That’s great.
I have your new phone no and I hope we talk this w/e because – I had 2 units of blood yesterday and can now speak in whole sentences verses – grunts and moans.
Love you, Joyce
It was so good to catch up with you via phone, Joyce. When you are feeling better, I want you to come hang out on *this* coast for a while : ) Working on the guest room now … this place gets cozier by the day. Not as cozy as your beach cottage, but still I think you would be proud : ) Love you and miss you LOTS,
V